MAKE ME A BETHANY
A Resting Place for the King
"Lord, I have loved the habitation of Your house, and the place where Your glory dwells." (Psalm 26:8)
Good morning My dear friends, the Lord has been stirring something special in my spirit—a cry that has been resonating deeply in my heart: "Make me a Bethany, Lord." Let me share what He's showing me about becoming a dwelling place for His manifest presence.
Think of Bethany, that little village where Jesus found rest and fellowship. There, in the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, He wasn't just a visitor—He was family. He could relax, be Himself, and receive love without performance. It was a place where His heart was truly at home.
I sense in my spirit that the Lord is searching throughout the earth for modern-day Bethanys – not just buildings, but hearts and gatherings where He can truly come and rest, where He can abide and dwell without limitation or restriction.
Oh, beloved, how many of our churches and meetings have become like Martha—so busy serving that we miss His presence! How many of our gatherings are so structured, so timed, so programmed that there's no room for the King of Glory to move as He desires! We run through our agendas, sing our songs, and preach our sermons, but we miss the fact that Jesus Himself stands at the door, knocking, longing to enter and transform our gatherings with His glory.
Watch how Mary positioned herself—at His feet, captivated by His presence, hanging on His every word. She created an atmosphere where He felt loved, appreciated, and valued simply for who He was, not what He could do. This is the atmosphere of Bethany that the Lord is seeking today!
I hear the Spirit saying that He's raising a people within a people, a church within a church – those who have grown weary of "church as usual" and hunger for the authentic touch of God. These precious ones are learning to cultivate the atmosphere of heaven, holding themselves steady in the Holy of Holies without rushing to the next item on the program.
These are ones with the eye of the dove – tunnel love vision toward Jesus alone. Like lovesick brides, they move with Him, attuned to His slightest whisper, responsive to His gentlest touch. They have learned the sacred art of constraining – that holy pulling on the heart of God that says, "Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over" (Luke 24:29).
But oh, dear ones, many places are not prepared for such divine visitation! Their rigid structures, time limitations, and restless agendas leave no room for the Holy Spirit to hover, brood, or move in power. He stands waiting, gently knocking, but the noise within drowns out His tender call.
Can you see Him? Standing at the door of our churches, longing so desperately to come in and abide? He doesn't want to be a scheduled guest speaker; He wants to be the honored Lord of the House!
Rise, beloved! Make yourself a Bethany! Create a place where Jesus feels welcome to stay, not just visit in your heart, your home, your gathering. Keep oil in your lamp – that precious oil of intimacy that the wise virgins preserved. Prepare a resting place for the King of Kings, a dwelling where His glory can abide without restriction.
For when we truly become Bethanys, everything changes. Worship becomes an encounter. Prayer becomes communion. Scripture becomes a living revelation. Ordinary gatherings are transformed into throne room experiences where hearts are healed, lives are changed, and heaven touches earth.
Make me a Bethany, Lord. Make us a people among whom You feel so at home that You never want to leave. Make us a dwelling place for Your manifest presence, where Your glory rests, and Your heart finds delight.
For this, precious ones are what our hearts were created for – to be the Bethany where Jesus loves to dwell.
With Love,
Steve Porter
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Thank you for this devotion. Just got a song by the Spirit. I am working on my Bethany today...making a Place for Him to Dwell and Stay!!..I looked up the word Bethany and found meaning House of Figs...Studied Figs and prayer for Israel and so much more. Thank you Pastor Porter..Make a Bethany today....Heaven to earth..Love those pictures you give us..Blessings. Music is wonderful also.
Yes,Lord. Make me a Bethany!